Hydropneumatic window-cleaning apparatus.



o. '0. DE WITT. 'HYDROPNEUMATIG WINDOW CLEANING APPARATUS.

wan/01" 51mm awn 122* I G. 0., DE WITT.

HYDROPNEUMATIG WINDOW CLEANING APPARATUS.

APPLIGATIONIILBD FEILZG, 1914.

1,1 14,592. Patented Oct. 20, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1 STATES. PATENT orricii.

CLINTON o. no wiser, or snnnwsnony rank, 'mrssoniu.

n nnornnmua'rrc winnow-cnnam ne APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLINTON C. DE Wrrr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Shrewsbury Park, St. Louis county, Mis-' souri, have invented a certain new and-use- .ful Improvement in Hydro-pneumatic 'WlIldow-Cleaning Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speciiication. My invention relates to a new anduseful apparatus for cleaning windows, the principal object of my invention being to provide a comparatively simple and portable appafronts.

ratus, specially designed for cleaning large plate glass wlndows. which are now commonly used in the construction of store ture, the water runs down onto the sidewalk and freezes, thereby causing icy surfaces which are a menaceto pedestrians.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide an apparatus wherein water w1ll be forcibly thrown onto the surface of the glass to cleanse the same and which water is carried back throiigh the handle of the cleaning or washing implement to be discharged into the gutter or a suitable waste receptacle.

My invention includes, with numerous minor eiements, a portable-tank adapted to receive water to be used in the washing operations, which water is under air pressure in order that it may be forcibly discharged onto thesurface of the windows; a. squilgee or cleaning implement, the sainebeing hollow so as to provide a pair of flexible 'lass engaging lips which, during upward or downward movement upon the glass -removes dirty water therefrom; a sectional handle for the squilgee, which handle is provided with a sectional water tube having leadingfrom the air chamber inthe' water Specification of Zhetters Patent. I Patented Oct, 20, 1914,,

Application filed February 26 1914. Serialip. 821,279.

tank upwardly through the sectional handle for the purpose of creating a partial vacuum or suction through the squilgee to draw the dirty water into the handle; means for forming and maintaining the joints between the water and air pipes carried by the sections of the handle; means for heating the water prior to its delivery and discharge into the squilgee, and means for creating air pressure within the water tank.

In the drawingsFigure 1 is an elevational view of my improved windowcleaning apparatus, parts thereof being broken awayand in section 1n order to more clearly illustrate the invention; Fig- 2 is a plan view of certain of the tubular connections and valves forming a part of my improved .lar ed horizontal section taken approximately on the line 7-- 7= of Fig. 4.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, 10 designates an air and water tight tank which is mounted upon suitable wheels 11 and having at one end a-handle 12 whereby said tank may be readily moved from one point to another as required for use. This tank is adapted to be filled orpartially filled with water by means of a flexibleconnection 13 which'leads from a hydrant connected to the city main to a nipple 14, which latter is seated in one end of the tank and provided with a valve 15.

A water discharge pipe 16' leads from a point near the bottom of the tank 10 to the exterior thereof, and suitablyconneetcd to the outer end of this pipe is a short horizontally disposed pipe 17 in which is located a valve 18, and leading from said pipe 17 is a short branch pipe 19 provided with a valve 20. y

' Located on top ofjthe'tank-IO within a hhhs'ihg 21 and connected to the upper end of discharge pipe 16, and located in the extension between said coil andthe pipe 16 is a valve 23.

' The coil 22 is heated in any suitable manner, referably by means of a liquid hydrocarbon burner-24, the same being connected to aksupply pipe 25 which leads from a small tan 2 Located on top of the tank 10 is a suitable pressure gage 27 and located at theend of said-tank is a small air pump 28 which has a tubular connection with the interior of tank 10 and which pump is adapted to be operated by hand forpumping up pressure within said tank.

Leading from the upper portion of tank. 10 is a short pipe 29, the same being pro-, vided witha valve 30, and leading from this pipe is a. branch pipe 31 which is provided with a valve 32. I

The squilgee or cleaning tool and handle I therefor are'ma-de in sections in order that the handle can be lengthened or shortened as required for service upon windows of different heights, and the lower end section of the handle comprises a tube 33, the lower end of which is closed in any suitable manner, preferably by means of a cap 34, the same being provided with a nipple in which is located a valve 35.

When the device is in use one end'of a flexible tube 36 is connected to the-discharge nipple on the cap 34, and the free end of said flexible tube is arranged to discharge into the gutter or a suitable receptacle.

Fixed on the upper portion of the tube' 33 is a ring 37 and loosely mounted on said tube below this ring is a collar 38, the upper end of which is internally screw threaded. The collar 38 is prevented from dropping downward upon the tube 33 by lugs 39 whichare positioned on said tube a'short distance below the ring 37 Located in the lower portion of the tube 33 is a nipple 40 in which is located outside said tube a valve'41 andwhen=the;appara-' tus is in use one end of a flexible tube 42 is connected to the outer end of the nipple 40 and the opposite end. of said tube is connected to the end of the pipe 17 or to-the end of branch pipe 19. Connected to -the. nipple 40 within the tube 33 is a water tube" 43, the. upper end of which terminates at or near the upper end of the tube 33 and is provided with a tapered seat 44.

Seated in the lower portion of tube. '33 is a short nipple 45 provided witha valve 46, and connected to the outer end of this nipplc is the upper end of a flexible tube 47, the lower end of which is adapted to be connected to the outer end of tube 29 or branch tube 31. Connected to the inner end of the nipple ,45 and leading upwardly tions, each of which comprises a tube 51 on the upper end of which is loosely mounted .a collar 52, the "upper portion of which is internally screw threaded. This, collar is adapted to bear against a ring 53 which is fixed on the upper portion of tube 51 and down upon said tube by lugs 54 located a short distance from the ring 53. 4 The lower end of tube 51 isadapted-to fit snugly within the upper end of tube 33 as seen in Fig. 5, and fixed on the lower pornally threaded upper end of collar 38.

As collar 38 is screwed upon the ring 55 the shoulder within said collar will bear against the ring 37 thereby drawing the upper end of tube 33, thereby forming an Located within tube 51'is a water tube 56 ing with the water andair tubes 43 and 48 in the lower section of the handle. tubes 56 and 57 .are held in position within tube 51 by suitable spiders or brackets 58,'

and the lower ends of said tubes are tapered so as to fit snugly within the tapered seats 48, thereby forming air and water tight joints between. the corresponding sections of. tubes when the lower end of the inter- -mediate section of the handle is connected to the lower section. Y

The upper, ends of tubes 56 and 57. are provided respectively with tapered seats 59 and 60 which are adapted to receive the by the upper section of the ;cleaner handle. This upper. section is made in two parts 61 and 62, the same being connected byxa 'suitlar member 64 of rubber or fabric, t e ends of which are attached in any suitable manner to thenadjacent ends of thesections 61 and 62. The upper portion of the lower zonta plane, and the lower end of said lower section is provided with a threaded ring 65 which is adapted to recelve ,the n.-

When the arts are properly assembled,

through the tube 33 is a. small air pipe 48, the upper endof which terminates-1n the.

the lower en of the lower section 61 fits vice includes one or more intermediate sec said collar is prevented from dropping.

tion of tube 51 is a ring 55 which is externally threaded so as to receive. the, inter-' section v61 is bent so that it occupies an angle ofap roximately 45 with respect to a hon- 125 1 lower end of the tube 51 downward into the air and water tight joint between said tubes.

and an air tube 57, the same correspond- 4 These 44 and 49 at the up'per ends of tubes 43 and lower endsv of corresponding tubes carried able flexible joint 63, the same being made air and water tight in any suitable manner preferably by means of a surroundm tubuternally threaded upper end of collar 52.

mediate tubular section 51, thus forming an air and water tight joint between said parts.

Seated in the lower portion of the section 61 is a block 66 through which is formed a tapered aperture 67, and projecting into said tapered aperture is a tapered tubular nozzle 68, the same being Connected to the upper end of a short tube 69 which is seated in the block 66. The lower end of this tube 69 projects a short distance below the block 66, and is tapered as designated by 70 so as to fit snugly in the tapered seat 60 in the upper end of airtube 57.

The lower end of a water tube 71 is seated in the block 66, which lower end'of said tube is tapered as designatedby 72 so as to fit snugly in the tapered seat 59 at the upper end ofwater tube 56.

Formed integral with or fined to the .upper end of the upper section 62 is a horizon-' tally disposed housing 7 3 and seated therein is a hollow squilgee 74, preferably formed of rubber, and comprising outwardly pro-- jecting upper and lower lips 75, and end walls such as 76. The projecting lips 75 are spaced apart a suitable distance, and the upper surface of. the lower lip is inclined downwardly and rearwardly as designated by 7 5 in order that water will readily gravitate downwardly over said lower lip, and pass into the tubular section 62.

Positioned within the section 62 is a small water tube 7 7 which is held in a central position by means of a bracket or spider 78, and the lower end of this tube is connected by a flexible joint 79 to the upper end of tube 71. Connected to'the upper end of tube 77 is a horizontally disposed tube 80 which extends lengthwise through the squilgee, and

' said tube is perforated on its front side so a as. to throw small jets of water directly forward between the, lips 7 5 and onto that portion of the lass or surface-which is between the'forwar "ends of said'lips.

The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows}; Pipe 13 is connected to ahydrant having connection to the city main and when valve 15 is opened-water will enter tank 10 and as said water is under certain air will be compressed in the upper are closed. Valve 15 isnow closed andfiexible 'tube 13 disconnected alas-the tank is now moved to the point of use and flexible tubes 42 and 47 are connected .to tubes 17 and 29 respectively. The upper ends ofthese flexible tubes are connected "to the nipples 40 and. 45. The operator. now manipulates the tubular handle so that the forward ends of the lips of the squilgeeare positioned against the surface of the glass to be cleaned, and valves 18, 30, 4:1 and 46' squilgee remain 3 It will be readily are nowopenedi'j As valves 18;, and-41 are. opened, water will ass through tubes 16, 17, 42, 43,56, 71,1113 v j v is under pressure it will beYforcifbly discharged through the jet openings in tube 80 within't-he squilgee. This waterin jet 77, and as s'iaidwater form is directed'onto the surface of the glass between the lips of the squilgee, and as the latter is moved up anddown 9n the surface of the glass, said surface will be cleaned and the water scraped from the surface of the glass will pass backward through the squilgee and discharge downward through tubular members 62 and 6] When valves 30 and 46 are opened air under pressure will pass through .tubes 29, 47, 48 and 57, and discharge from nozz1e'68 downward through the aperture- 67*, thereby creating suction through 'thefu'pper portion of the tool, and as-va result',x; .gthe"waste. water is caused to dischargedownwardthrough the aperture 67 andafter assing'through the tubular handle will'f disc ble tube 36 int suitable receptacle or the I the. exibjle joint between the members 1- andt62fthe lips of the of the glass bein cleaned during the vertical movement-o the tubular-handle, and during such movement the a'ngularity'of the tubular handle necessarily changed.

Where it isdes red to use two of the cleanarge through flexi contact with thesurface ing. implement'sl ton a':large window, or on two adjacentfwindows, the flexible tubes of the second implen'rent are connected to the branch pipes'1 9'land. 351; In extreme cold Weather or lienever itis desired to heat the water deliv'ered through the squilgee,-

the burn if Bi-iiS'li' hted and-the flexible tube .42 is c'on'nect'e'j mto the-"upper end of coil 22; Valves; 18 and 20. are closed and valve "23 is o-pen ed, and thus the water from the tank 10 passes through the coil 22 wherein it is heated. 6. V In case the airepressure within tank 10 is lowered to such a degree as to-be ineflicient, the operator by 'marlipulating the handle of P 3 1 3 win without necessitating the connection of tube to the hydrant; 1 An apparatus? f jfi improved construcui'np lip-additional pressure -tion is: comisifativelysimple, can be readwhich 'wa ter is,'after.1ise, carried oil and dis- 7 charged into a suitable receptacle or. the

gutter. a

changes in the size, formand construction of the various parts of my improved Pleaning apparatus may be made and substituted f r those he ein sho n and described, with understood that minor 7 j duce suction throug out deperating from the spi'ritof my inven-' the Scope of which is set forth in t e ppended claims.

I claim:

the combinationwith a tank adapted to receive water and compressed air, of a clean ing tool comprising a tubular handle, a hollow squilg e carried by said handle, a water tube passing through the tubular handle for delivering water through the squilgee, an air tube for withdrawing the water from the squilgee and delivering said water into the lower portion of the handle, a tube leading from thehandle for carryin off the waste water, and tubular connections from the Sank to the air and water tubes in said hane- 1 2. In an apparatus'of the'class described, the combination with a'tank adapted to contain water and air under pressure, of a cleaning implement comprising a tubular handle, a hollow squilgee carried thereby, means for conveying Water from the tanli up through thehandle and discharging said water through the hollow squilgee, and a tubular connection from the air dompartment within the tank to the tubular. handle whereby the waste water after-passing through the squilgee is caused topass downward through the handle "of the cleaning implement. 4 3. .In anapparatus of-the classa'described, .a' cleaning implement comprising a sectional tubular handle, a hollow squilgee carried by the upper end' of said handle, a water pipe leadingthrough the tubular handle, a jet pipe located withinv the squilgee and connected to said water pipe, an air pipe extending a jet nozzle connected to said air pipe and arranged to prothe upper end of the tubular handle and the hollow squilgee for drav'ving the waste water from the squilgee and delivering same into the lower portion of the tubular handle, and means whereby Water and air under pressure are delivered to thewater and air pipes within the hollow handle. F

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a cleaning implement, comprising a tubular handle, a short tubular member located on one end of said handle, in which short member'is formed a flexible joint, a hollow .squilthis 14th day of i d B the upper end of said short tubular member, and means for delivering j water: under pressure through the short I tubular member and discharging said water 1. In an apparatus of the class described,

[and the squilgee to draw the waste water therethrough and deliver itinto the tubular handle. 4 6. In an apparatus of the class described, a cleaning tool comprising a tubular handle, an elongated housing pivotally connected to one end thereof, and a hollow squilgee seated in said housing. 7.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a cleaning tool comprising a tubular handle, an elongated'housing'pivotally connected to one end thereof, a hollow squilgee seated in said housing, which squilgee comprises a pair of flexible lips spaced apart and projecting @beyond t e housing, and flexible walls connecting the ends of said lips,

8. In an apparatus of the class described, a cleaning implement comprising a tubular handle, a hollow squilgee carried thereby, means for conveying waterthrough the tubular handle. and discharging said water through the squilgee, means for deliveringair under pressure into the tubular handle near the squilgee for withdrawing the waste water from the squilgee and delivering said water into thelower portion of the tubular handle, and a tube connected to the lower end of said tubular handle for carrying oil the waste water.

In testimon whereof I hereunto afilx my signature in t e .esence of two witnesses,

. ebruar 1914. -CLINTO C. DE WITT. Witnesses: Y j :M.-'P. Smm',. .M."-A. HANDEL, 

